La Liga teams Atletico Madrid and Las Palmas have raised concerns over a “dangerous precedent” set by the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD), which allowed Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo and forward Pau Victor to play temporarily after their licenses expired.
Background:
- License Issue: Barcelona failed to extend the short-term licenses of Olmo and Victor before the 2024 deadline due to financial fair play constraints.
- CSD Intervention: On Wednesday, the CSD granted Barcelona a precautionary measure, allowing the players to compete until a final ruling is made on their case against La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation.
- Financial Solution Delay: Barcelona’s registration issue stemmed from a deal to sell VIP seats to Middle Eastern investors, which was finalized too late for the players to register.
Atletico Madrid’s Criticism:
In a statement in La Liga, Atletico Madrid expressed concern over the decision, stating:
- The ruling jeopardizes the established football system by undermining its rules.
- The government intervention sets a “dangerous precedent” that could lead to recurring regulatory violations.
Las Palmas’ Concerns:
Similarly, Las Palmas called the CSD’s decision a threat to competition integrity, stating:
- The ruling destabilizes the foundations of professional football in Spain.
LaLiga President’s Reaction:
Javier Tebas, LaLiga’s president, criticized the decision as a “tragicomedy” in a social media post, highlighting that it contradicted prior CSD and court rulings.
Current Implications:
Despite the controversy, Barcelona managed to beat Athletic Bilbao without the unregistered players to reach the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
The issue underscores ongoing tensions between financial regulations, governance, and competitive fairness in Spanish football.